Monday, March 02, 2015

Is the governor paying attention?

The Capitol lawn was recently packed with hundreds of teachers,
parents, students and concerned citizens delivering a very clear message to Gov.
Doug Ducey about his proposed budget – “No
ifs, ands, or buts – no more budget cuts.”

House Democrats joined
the rally, calling for the governor to invest in education. Do not be fooled by Ducey's claim that his budget puts more money in the classroom. He is playing a shell game - cutting K-12 education by about $13 million and refusing to return the voter-mandated $330 million inflation funding to our schools.

For years, Republicans have been balancing the
budget on the backs of Arizona kids. Teachers' salaries are too low and
classroom sizes are too big. By failing to invest in education, the governor continues
to jeopardize the state's economic stability. Any true economic recovery plan
focuses on education, so that students are prepared for higher education and
for 21st century jobs.But the governor has also proposed slashing $75 million from
universities. This prompted ASU President Michael Crow to write a letter in which he stated
that “Arizona's public universities again shoulder the primary responsibility
for balancing the state budget.” He added that Ducey's budget “signals to the
state and the nation that higher education is a low priority in Arizona.”President Crow is right. A budget
is a statement of values. Ducey's budget cuts education funding, while
bankrolling $100 million over three years for a new private prison. This
despite the fact that Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan told the
House Appropriations Committee that there is currently space available in some
state prisons. Does this mean Ducey values incarceration more than education?

It is also an indication
that the governor is out of touch with what Arizonans want. A recent poll
from the Morrison Institute shows that education is a top priority for
people in this state. The message is loud and clear; the governor needs to fund
education. The question remains, is he paying attention?